Are D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai the NFL's top backfield duo?
Remember when there were concerns that the team didn't do enough to improve the running back position in the offseason? The Bears' 24-15 win over the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles was the perfect example of why they
Chicago's backfield pair of Kyle Monangai and D'Andre Swift put the team on their back, carrying the ball a combined 40 times for 255 yards and two scores. They became the first Bears duo to eclipse 100 rushing yards in the same game since 1985. What a wonderful accomplishment. I personally can't think of any
Many were concerned that Ben Johnson's offense wouldn't work without the horses in the backfield that he had at his disposal in Detroit. They fielded the perfect thunder (David Montgomery) and lightning (Jahmyr Gibbs) combination. Meanwhile, Swift was often clowned on social media for having subpar vision. Monangai nearly went undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft. Do they really expect to field a competent running game with these two?
Why yes. Yes, they did. And they are.
Through the first 12 games, Chicago currently leads the league with 153.8 rushing yards per game. No one (and I mean
Swift is on pace for 1091 rushing yards, even though he missed a game. Meanwhile, Monangai is on pace for 837 yards on the ground. For what it's worth, no second option in any rushing attack had as many rushing yards as the seventh-round rookie,
Is that fact alone enough to warrant praise as the league's best backfield duo?
No, it's not the only one. It is the most important one, though. Swift ranks 12th in the league in rushing yards. Monangai ranks 22nd. The latter has 48 more yards and one more touchdown despite having two fewer attempts than David Montgomery, who is often credited with being the league's best "backup" running back.
I know some are going to scoff at the notion that Swift and Monangai could be better than Jahmyr Gibbs and Montgomery. They're truly an incredible duo in their own right. I don't think you could argue that Swift is better than Gibbs, who already has over 1400 total yards and 13 touchdowns this year. Even with how good he's been playing, that would be a silly argument.
I do think Kyle Monangai has a strong argument for being better than David Montgomery, though. Anyone discrediting the notion is caught up on the fact that he was selected much later than he should have been in the draft. "Do you really think a seventh-round rookie is better than Montgomery?" Based on what he's put on tape this season? Yes, I
I was even high on the Rutgers product before his breakout game against Cincinnati. Outside of an underwhelming performance against the Giants, he's been lights out whenever he's gotten the rock.
Besides the duo in Detroit. Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet also deserve some recognition as a great duo for the Seahawks. As do Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier in Atlanta. The Broncos have a solid duo in J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey. None of these pairs has looked better than the Bears duo this season, though. Factoring in the combined production between each pair, it hasn't even really been close.
The Bears' backfield duo certainly passes the eye test. They also complement each other extremely well. They also have the stats to back it up.
As it stands right now, they look every bit like the league's premier running back duo.
‘The Eagles Won’t Know What’s Coming’: Nick Foles Confident Bears Are Ready to Shock
As the Chicago Bears prepare for their highly anticipated matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles, backup quarterback Nick Foles is making it clear that his team is ready to shock the world. Despite the Eagles’ strong season and top-tier status in the NFC, Foles believes the Bears are primed for an upset and will bring the heat that Philadelphia won’t expect.
“The Eagles might be riding high, but they’ve got no idea what’s coming,” Foles said in a recent interview. “We’re coming in with the hunger and fire that no one expects. The Bears are ready to bring the heat, and the Eagles won’t know how to handle it.”
Foles’ words reflect a confident, determined mindset in the Bears’ locker room. While the Eagles have been dominating on both sides of the ball, Foles believes the Bears have the tools to disrupt their game plan. The Bears have a defense capable of containing elite offenses, and Foles is confident that their offense will step up and make plays when it counts.
Chicago has been inconsistent throughout the season, but there’s no doubt that when they click, they’re a dangerous team. Foles, who was part of the Eagles’ Super Bowl-winning squad in 2018, knows how important it is to come into big games with the right mindset — and he’s confident that the Bears are doing just that.
“We’ve got the talent, the heart, and the desire to make a statement,” Foles said. “The Eagles are a great team, but we’re not intimidated. We’re here to fight, and we’re ready to take this opportunity and make it ours.”
Foles, who has been in and out of the starting role for the Bears this season, has seen firsthand how dangerous the team can be when they are firing on all cylinders. He also knows that it’s going to take more than just solid individual performances — it’s about execution, trust, and coming together as a unit.
“This game is about more than just one player,” Foles continued. “It’s about everyone playing their part. If we execute and trust the game plan, we’ve got a real shot at beating them.”
The Eagles, led by MVP candidate Jalen Hurts, have been dominant on offense, with a well-balanced attack that includes a high-powered passing game and an elite rushing attack. However, Foles sees vulnerabilities in their game — particularly in their ability to handle pressure. The Bears’ defense, led by linebacker Roquan Smith and defensive lineman Khalil Mack, has the potential to make life difficult for Hurts and the Eagles’ offensive line.
For Foles and the Bears, this is more than just another regular-season game. It’s a chance to show the league that they are a team capable of surprising the best of them. With the pressure on, Foles’ confidence in his team’s ability to perform under the spotlight is unwavering.
“This is the type of game we live for,” Foles said. “We know it’s going to be tough, but we’re ready for the challenge. The Eagles won’t know what’s coming when we step onto that field.”
As the Bears head into Week 13 with a playoff push still within reach, Foles’ leadership and belief in his team’s potential could be the spark they need to turn their season around. The Eagles may be the favorites, but the Bears are ready to prove that they’re more than capable of pulling off a stunning upset.
